4-H Curriculum Resources

Plants, Soils, and Entomology

Horticulture/Gardening Land Appreciation and Soil Judging Entomology

In the area of Plants, Soils, and Entomology, 4-H'ers will explore the world of horticulture, soils and insects.

Project Books Virginia 4-H Project Publication Title Formats Available Suggested Ages 10558 - Planting Trees & Shrubs 426-930 Planting Ornamental Trees and Shrubs Print1   |   PDF3 14-18 10559 - Pruning Ornamentals 426-932 Pruning Ornamental Trees Print1 14-18 10568 - It's More than Just Dirt 380-020 Exploring the World of Plants and Soils Print1   |   PDF3 14-18 10569 - Stems and Stamens 380-021 Exploring the World of Plants and Soils Print1   |   PDF3 14-18 10570 - Sprouting Out and Growing Up 380-022 Exploring the World of Plants and Soils Print1   |   PDF3 14-18 National 4-H Cooperative Curriculum System Project   Title Formats Available Suggested Ages 10560 - Gardening Project   Gardening A - See Them Sprout Print2 Grade 4 10560 - Gardening Project   Gardening B - Let's Get Growing Print2 Grades 5-6 10560 - Gardening Project   Gardening C - Take Your Pick Print2 Grades 7-8 10560 - Gardening Project   Gardening D - Growing Profits Print2 Grades 9-10 10560 - Gardening Project   Gardening Exhibit Guide Print2 Grades 4-10 10560 - Gardening Project   Gardening Down to Earth - Classroom Gardening Print2 Grades 4- 6 Other State's 4-H Publications Project   Title Formats Available Suggested Ages Jr. Master Gardener Program   Junior Master Gardener Member Guide Print2 8-10 Leaders Guides Virginia 4-H Project Publication Title Formats Available Suggested Ages 10558 - Planting Trees & Shrubs 426-931 Planting Ornamental Trees and Shrubs Print1   |   PDF3 14-18 10559 - Pruning Ornamentals 426-933 Pruning Ornamental Trees Print1   |   PDF3 14-18 10562 426-950 Digging Down & Growing Up Print1   |   PDF3 5-8 National 4-H Cooperative Curriculum System Project   Title Formats Available Suggested Ages 10560 - Gardening Project   Gardening - Group Activity Helper's Guide Print2 Grades 4-10 10567 - Horticulture   Horticulture - Group Activity Helper's Guide Print2 Grades 3-12 Other State's 4-H Publications Project   Title Formats Available Suggested Ages 10561- Wildlife Gardener   Wildlife Dardener Teacher/Leader Guide Print2 3-5 10560 - Jr. Master Gardener Program   Junior Master Gardener Teacher/Leader Guide Print2 8-10 School Enrichment (Teachers guides with lessons, suggested activities and student worksheets) Virginia 4-H Project Publication Title Formats Available Suggested Ages 10567 - Horticulture 388-804 Horticulture In-School Curriculum Print1   |   PDF3 9-10 National 4-H Cooperative Curriculum System Project   Title Formats Available Suggested Ages 10560 - Gardening   Down to Earth - Classroom Gardening Print2 Grades 4-6 Additional Resources   Publications 426-890 Fun with Plants (ages 9-11) 426-920 4-H Vegetable Crossword Puzzle (ages 9-11) 4-H Junior Master Gardener Program Introduces young gardeners to the art and science of gardening and helps them develop leadership and life skills to become good citizens within their communities, schools, and families. Youth may become Certified 4-H Junior Master Gardeners through this program. Support Materials: 4-H Junior Master Gardener Member and Leader handbooks are available from the national JMG office (www.jmgkids.us) or from the National 4-H Council Sourcebook (http://www.4-hmall.org/4H_Mall/Home/Default.asp) 4-H JMG Program Intro Flyer - Word 4-H JMG Stickers - Word * 4-H JMG Stickers - Chapters 1 and 2 - Word * 4-H JMG Stickers - Chapters 3 and 4 - Word * 4-H JMG Stickers - Chapters 5 and 6 - Word * 4-H JMG Stickers - Chapters 7 and 8 - Word * 4-H JMG Training Presentation - Part One (Goals, objectives and program policies) - PowerPoint 4-H JMG Training Presentation - Part Two (4-H JMG club management, teaching plan and book review) - PowerPoint 4-H JMG Member Record Sheets 4-H JMG Leader Record Sheet - Word (These files are designed to be printed on AVERY product #5293) Grow Labs Grow labs are three-tiered, shelved, free-standing structures, constructed of PVC pipe and plywood. Each Grow lab stands approximately 2 feet by 5 feet in dimension. Fluorescent shop-lights provide light for seeds to germinate on the bottom two shelves. GrowLabs are available in the following locations for use by units in that Planning District: Growlabs: Va. Beach, York, Northumberland, King George, Madison, Nelson, Rockbridge, Campbell, Mecklenburg, Henry, Floyd Soil Augers are available in the following locations for use by units in that Planning District: Augers: Isle of Wight, Norfolk, Lancaster, Charles City, Stafford, Madison, Nelson, Campbell, Mecklenburg, Henry, Floyd Plant Identification Learning Laboratory Kit The Plant ID Kit is designed to introduce students to the basic concepts and terminology used in identification of deciduous trees and shrubs. Rather than focusing on memorizing specific traits of individual plant species, a holistic approach is used, teaching 4-H members to observe and appreciate plants in their totality. The kit and lesson plans provide introductory information that will help students in overall plant identification. Both common and specific names are given in all plant species list used in these lesson plans. The Plant ID kit can be checked out by Extension Agents from the VCE Distribution Center. National Junior Horticultural Association (NJHA) The National Junior Horticultural Association (NJHA) was founded in 1934 and was the first organization in the world dedicated solely to youth and horticulture. NJHA programs are designed to help young people obtain a basic understanding of, and develop skills in the ever expanding art and science of horticulture. 4-H, FFA, scouts, vocational horticulture (or agriculture), youth gardening groups, and independent youth can participate directly in NJHA. For more information visit their website: http://www.njha.org/ On-line Youth Horticulture Resources This web site provides many links useful for youth gardening programs including free publications, lessons plans, and other resources.

Land Appreciation and Soil Judging

Soil is our greatest natural resource. Soils are critical to the production of the food we eat, providing the base for our roads and buildings, and safely treating and storing some of man's wastes. The Virginia 4-H Soils project are provides youth the opportunity to study characteristics of soils, compare different types of soils and determine their best uses. Your first contact for more information is: Your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office. For additional information, contact: Joel Bunn, Agent, York County Phone:(757)890-4940

Project Books Virginia 4-H Project Publication Title Formats Available Suggested Ages 71001 - Soil Judging 452-222 Introduction to 4-H Soils Judging in Virginia Print1 9-11 71002 - Soil Judging 452-223 Intermediate 4-H Soils Judging in Virginia Print1 12-13 Competition Aids Virginia 4-H 71002 - Soil Judging 452-224 Intermediate 4-H Soils Judging Scorecard Print1 12-13 71002 - Soil Judging 452-225 Senior 4-H Soils Judging and Evaluation Scorecard Print1 14-18

Entomology

Learn about the biology and habits of the insects that live in close association with man. Collecting, preserving, and identifying insects is an important part of learning Entomology. Your first contact for more information is: Your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office. For additional information, contact: Dini Miller, Extension Specialist Entomology, Virginia Tech Phone: (540) 231-4918, dinim@vt.edu, http://everest.ento.vt.edu/~mollet/4hent.htm

Project Books Virginia 4-H Project Publication Title Formats Available Suggested Ages 72005 - Beekeeping I 380-070 The Buzz about Bees: Honeybee Biology and Behavior (Project Book) PDF Grades 4-6 380-074 Veils, Smokers, and Supers: Equipment of Beekeepers PDF Grades 4-6 4-H National Curriculum Project   Title Formats Available Suggested Ages 72007 - Entomology   Entomology 1 - Creepy Crawlies Print2 Grades 3-5 72007 - Entomology   Entomology 2 - What's Bugging You? Print2 Grades 6-8 72007 - Entomology   Entomology 3 - Dragons, Houses, and Other Flies Print2 Grades 9-12 Project Resources Project Publication Title Formats Available Suggested Ages   380-088 NCCS Entomology Set (including Leader's Guide) Print2 3-12 Leaders Guides Virginia 4-H Beekeeping  380-071 The Buzz about Bees: Honeybee Biology and Behavior (Resource Guide 1) PDF Grades 4-6 Beekeeping  380-075 Veils, Smokers, and Supers: Equipment of Beekeepers PDF Grades 4-6 4-H National Curriculum Project   Title Formats Available Suggested Ages 72007 - Entomology   Entomology Helper's Guide Print2 Grades 3-12

¹Available from your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office.
²Payment required.
³Documents in PDF format require the Adobe Acrobat Reader to open. If you do not already have the Reader installed on your computer, you can download a free copy from Adobe.
⁴Available from other states.
⁵Available as website
⁶Available as CD